India and Bangladesh shows deep concern about the world’s largest dam in Tibet
Authorities of Chin have officially commenced construction of what is set to become the world’s largest hydropower dam, raising concerns in India and Bangladesh over downstream water flow and regional instability. Chinese Premier “Li Qiang” presided over the ground-breaking ceremony on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet’s remote Medog County claiming for environmental protection and local development. The Motuo Hydropower Station, as it is officially named, is estimated to cost 12 billion yuan (\$1.67bn; £1.25bn) and, once completed, will surpass the capacity of the existing Three Gorges Dam. The dam is expected to generate up to three times more energy. Critics say the dam could allow Beijing to manipulate water flow, impacting millions downstream. A 2020 report by the Australian-based Lowy Institute warned that “control over these rivers [in the Tibetan Plateau] effectively gives China a chokehold on India’s economy.” Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu voiced serious concerns, saying the dam posed “an existential threat to our tribes and our livelihoods”. He added: “Suppose the dam is built and they suddenly release water, our entire Siang belt would be destroyed… In particular, the Adi tribe and similar groups would see all their property, land, and especially human life, suffer devastating effects.”Bangladesh, which also relies heavily on the trans-boundary river system, has formally requested details from Beijing.
